The Byoukidere Is Her Sweetie

Chapter 98: 098: Apply a heating pad to him, and warm up the sickbed as well.
 

The neon lights outside the car window were rapidly receding.

Zhou Xufang put on her headset, “Shuangjiang.”

Shuangjiang knew what she was going to ask and immediately replied, “I’ve copied out the guest data and surveillance video footage from the cruise ship, but there are no cameras turned on the first and second floors, so there’s not much information available.”

Zhou Xufang drove with one hand, the wind blowing her hair into disarray, so she simply put on her hat, “Has the Jiang family filed a case?”

“Yes, Jiang Zhi’s grandmother came forward.”

After pondering for a moment, she asked, “Is it possible to start from the police side?”

“I’ll try.”

After thanking him, Zhou Xufang turned the steering wheel and headed back.

In the hospital room, Xue Bingxue had just finished administering emergency treatment to Jiang Zhi.

Xue Baoyi was pacing back and forth anxiously, “How is it going?”

Xue Bingxue, with a stethoscope, listened intently for a while, then removed it, “There’s fluid in the lungs, he needs to undergo thoracentesis.”

Jiang Zhi’s lung condition was quite bad, and with the drowning, the presence of fluid was also expected. If it weren’t for his eagerness to meet Zhou Xufang, he should have received thoracentesis earlier.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ƝοѵǤᴑ.сο

Impressive endurance, dragging such a sick body to see his beloved.

Jiang Zhi, with half-closed eyes, said, “You do it.”

“My specialty is traditional Chinese medicine.”

He lay weakly on his hospital bed, the pair of slippers that Zhou Xufang sent placed beside the pillow. He had no strength, not even wanting to move a finger, “I don’t trust anyone else.”

Xue Bingxue, although specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, had surgical skills no less than any surgeon’s.

“Take off your clothes, I’ll start with acupuncture.”

Jiang Zhi stripped off his jacket and directly lifted his hospital gown.

Xue Baoyi stared unblinkingly, then let out a sound of admiration, “Brother Zhi, you’re so white…” followed by another exclamation, “Holy shit, you actually have abs!”

Those few abs…

Holy shit! He was even feeling the desire.

Jiang Zhi gave him a glance, yanked the blanket, and covered himself, “Get out.”

Yo, suddenly shy. Xue Baoyi hummed and didn’t leave, “We’re all grown men, what’s the big deal?”

Jiang Zhi’s eyelids flickered, his brilliant peach blossom eyes coupled with this sickly look were quite enticing, but the words he spoke contrasted starkly, “How few grown men have I turned?”

Grown man Xue Baoyi: “…”

“Baoyi,” Xue Bingxue spoke up, “you go out, don’t hinder me.”

One should listen to one’s elders, so Xue Baoyi hummed and left.

Xue Bingxue put on gloves, took the needles, and lifted Jiang Zhi’s shirt, his needling was quick and light, “What happened to you?”

Jiang Zhi rested his arm under his neck, playing with the pair of slippers Zhou Xufang sent him, “What happened to what?”

“Didn’t you have training? How come you were pushed into the sea?” His lack of vigilance didn’t seem like Jiang Zhi’s style.

He casually provided a reason, “I was careless, thinking about Zhou Xufang at that moment.”

“…”

Xue Bingxue didn’t know what to say to him anymore; Zhou Xufang’s influence on him was too great.

Jiang Zhi changed the topic, “Has my family’s old lady talked to you?”

“Yes.”

Without asking, Jiang Zhi could guess what the old lady had told him ‘Jiang Wei’er,’ those three words, were the best bargaining chip, “Most of the Jiang family are self-serving, don’t be too noble yourself.”

The old lady would play tricks, and so would Jiang Zhi.

But Xue Bingxue, he disliked kicking someone when they were down.

He even asked a particularly naive and sweet question, with an earnest expression, “If you do something bad and your conscience is uneasy, what do you do?”

Jiang Zhi laughed, “Conscience?”

This kid was still too honest.

He touched the rabbit head on the pink slippers, “That thing, I don’t have it.”

Xue Bingxue: “…”

In the early morning, there was the sound of a car horn outside the Jiang Mansion, and the servant on night duty put on a coat, got up, and went to open the door.

It was the car from the second branch of the family.

“Miss Fuli has returned.”

Jiang Fuli got out of the car, gave a few instructions to the driver, and then entered the house, heading towards the small building. She took off her outer garment and handed it to the servant, “Stay outside.”

The servants responded.

On the south side of the main building of Jiang Mansion, a covered walkway had been built, lined on one side by a pavilion and an attic for scenic views.

Her mother hadn’t retired to bed yet; she was waiting for her in the pavilion.

She walked over and took a seat, “Did you have someone check it out?”

Luo Changfang poured her a cup of tea and said, “We did.” After pouring the tea, she added, “Jiang Zhi’s frail body certainly doesn’t seem faked, this fall into the water must have cost him half his life.”

Jiang Fuli took a sip from her teacup, “To still not die after all that, he’s really quite tenacious.”

Luo Changfang’s action of pouring tea paused for a moment. She looked around, saw no one, and asked in a low voice, “Fuli, did you do it?”

Jiang Fuli smiled and pushed aside the tea leaves with the lid, “Mother, you can’t speculate wildly; I have an alibi.”

The next day, due to the low temperature, the drizzling rain had frozen into ice pellets, hinting at an impending snowfall.

At nine in the morning, Jiang Zhi was transferred to a common ward.

He only awoke at ten.

Coincidentally, Jiang Fuxi was bringing in water, she pushed the door open, her voice soft and gentle, “Is there anywhere else you feel uncomfortable?”

Jiang Zhi sat up, his eyes clear of any sleepiness, “Why are you here?”

She set down the basin, “Grandma asked me to come and look after you.”

She took a clean towel, dampened it with water, wrung it out, and approached the bedside, bending slightly forward to wipe Jiang Zhi’s hands.

He avoided her, leaving her gesture incomplete, his expression cold and indifferent, “Leave, let my assistant come in.”

In the Jiang family generation, only four children were born, none of them close. Even Jiang Zhi and Jiang Fuxi, both reared under Grandma Jiang’s knee, had a rather thin private relationship.

Jiang Zhi avoided interaction with others, and Jiang Fuxi seldom left the women’s quarters. The two hadn’t developed any feuds, nor did they share any profound sibling affection.

She set down the towel, took the clothes hanging on the rack without any annoyance, her temper still pleasant, her voice still gentle and soft, “I’ll wait outside, call me if you need anything.”

Jiang Zhi ordered her directly, “Go back to Jiang Mansion, you’re not needed here to look after me.”

“But grandma—”

“I will talk to Grandma.”

She nodded her head, put on her coat—custom-made just like Grandma Jiang; she too loved embroidery, loved cheongsams, cherished calligraphy, paintings, and books. She always carried an air of fresh ink elegance.

“Then I’ll be leaving, take good care of your health.”

On her way out, she happened to run into Xue Baoyi and Qiao Nanchu at the door, greeted them with a nod, and then left the ward.

Once she was far away, Xue Baoyi turned to look back, stroked his chin, “My mother would love someone like Jiang Fuxi.” The delicate and virtuous daughters from big households were the type of daughters-in-law that matriarchs from wealthy families adored.

Qiao Nanchu teased him, “What, you still have feelings for her?”

Xue Baoyi immediately changed his tune, scowling, “Don’t bring up such stale news.”

Jiang Fuxi was Xue Baoyi’s first love.

Back then, Xue Baoyi was only a teenager, a brash youth who made waves throughout the estate.

At that time, he was buddies with Jiang Zhi and often visited the Jiang family. It was the age of romantic yearnings, and through many visits, he took a fancy to Jiang Fuxi. There was no particular reason; at that age, any girl who a boy spends time with can start to seem appealing.

Then, Xue Baoyi chose a perfect moonlit night to courageously confess his feelings, accompanied by a group of childhood friends, spouting nearly ten thousand words of adolescent bravado essentially saying ‘become my wife, and I’ll look after you.’ The result—

The graceful young girl simply replied with, “Are you done? I haven’t finished embroidering my flower.”

The teenage Xue Baoyi was utterly dumbfounded at the time.

Qiao Nanchu didn’t quite remember what happened after, only that Xue Baoyi dragged them all to a bar to drown his sorrows, and then he took a fancy to a bartending sister…

In short, this was a rough patch in Xue Baoyi’s youthful indiscretions.

“However, she is pretty; she could debut as a star,” Xue Baoyi commented objectively, as befits his status as an entertainment industry CEO.

Qiao Nanchu entered the ward, pulled up a chair, and sat down, “Didn’t your mom tell you? The prettier a woman is, the more poisonous.”

Xue Baoyi didn’t deny it.

“This Jiang Fuxi,” Qiao Nanchu stretched out his legs, hitting the bedpost with his foot, “Jiang Zhi, don’t you think there’s something odd about her?”

Jiang Zhi said nothing.

Xue Baoyi leaned against the cabinet, “What’s odd about her?”

Qiao Nanchu fiddled with his lighter, “Can’t quite put my finger on it.”

Without bringing up Jiang Fuxi again, he spoke of more serious matters, “Your grandma has already filed a case; Mr. Cheng will come over soon to take your statement.”

Jiang Zhi propped himself up with a pillow, not looking too well, “Can we restrict their travel?”

“Who do you mean?”

“Everyone on that cruise ship.”

Qiao Nanchu caressed the roller of his lighter, “That’s difficult, the guests invited last night are all influential, without sufficient evidence, it’s tough to handle.”

Jiang Zhi abruptly said, “I saw the murderer’s hand.”

Qiao Nanchu stopped fiddling with the lighter, “Could you recognize it?”

“Too little time, just an impression.” After thinking, Jiang Zhi said, “Left hand, men’s watch, three scratch marks on the back of the hand.”

Scratch marks…

With just this one feature, the range of suspects could be narrowed.

Qiao Nanchu stood up and made a phone call to the Criminal Investigation Team, “Scratch marks on the back of the hand, start screening immediately.”

After giving a few more instructions, Qiao Nanchu had just hung up when someone knocked on the door.

Xue Baoyi asked who it was, and went to open the door with her hands in her pockets.

The person outside replied, “It’s me.” The young girl was carrying two large bags, and introduced herself formulaically, “I’m Zhou Xufang.”

Jiang Zhi perked up.

Xue Baoyi turned back to Jiang Zhi and playfully winked.

Jiang Zhi didn’t look at him; his gaze was fixed on the girl, eyes brimming with spring charm, but his voice was cold as frost, “Everyone out.”

“…”

Talk about favoritism.

Xue Baoyi clicked his tongue, “A faithless scoundrel when a beauty is near.” Turning back, he greeted Zhou Xufang with a roguish charm, “Hello, Miss Zhou.”

Miss Zhou was a bit unaccustomed to such enthusiasm and avoided his gaze, “Hello, Mr. Xue.”

She was just about to greet another ‘Mr. Qiao’ when Jiang Zhi urged her, “Xu Fang, close the door.”

Zhou Xufang said, “Oh.”

Snap!

The door closed, and Xue Baoyi and Qiao Nanchu were almost left out in the cold, the nerve of these two!

Zhou Xufang took a few small steps forward, looking at Jiang Zhi with concern, “Are you feeling better?”

Jiang Zhi lay there, appearing fragile as if boneless, panting weakly, the embodiment of sickness, “I can’t hear clearly, come closer to talk.”

His act was like a big bad wolf trying to coax a little white rabbit.

Zhou Xufang was particularly gullible; she believed everything Jiang Zhi said, really thinking he couldn’t hear well, so she strode over to him and asked again with concern, “Are you feeling better?”

He wanted to trick her into worrying about him a little.

But he wouldn’t let her be too frightened or anxious.

Jiang Zhi suppressed the urge to cough, “It’s nothing, I’ll be better in a few days.” He patted the edge of the bed, “Come, sit here.”

Perhaps because he was ill, she was more obedient than usual and sat on the very edge of the bed, barely touching it.

Jiang Zhi took the large bag from her hands, “What’s this?”

“Nutritional supplements I bought for you.”

More nutritional supplements.

Expensive.

Jiang Zhi placed the bag on the cabinet, unable to resist nagging her, “I have more than enough supplements, don’t buy any more in the future.”

Zhou Xufang listened to him, “Okay.”

Then she’d buy something else.

She took down her backpack and said, “I have another gift for you.” He had said yesterday that he hadn’t been properly cheered up yet and needed more comforting.

Another gift?

She rummaged in her backpack and pulled out a pretty pink gift box, straightened the ribbon on top to make it neat, and then presented it to Jiang Zhi.

Jiang Zhi looked at the square box, “What’s this?”

Zhou Xufang opened the box, “A heat pack.”

“…”

Isn’t that something women use?

After giving slippers, now a heat pack—a girl’s gift? Was she raising him as her confidante?

“The snow will come again soon, and it will be very cold. If you stick this on your body, you won’t be cold.” Jiang Zhi was in poor health and afraid of the cold. The heat pack was recommended by Lixiang, and she thought it was very suitable for Jiang Zhi, so she bought a lot. She gave him a small box to try. If it worked well, she would bring all the stock from home for him.

However, Jiang Zhi’s expression seemed a bit complicated.

She felt a little anxious and unconsciously scratched the box with her fingernail, “Don’t you like it?”

Seeing her about to frown, Jiang Zhi quickly snatched the box away and even took out a heat pack, caressing it as if it was priceless, “Who said I didn’t like it?”

Love me, love my dog.

Who could blame him for liking her?

When Zhou Xufang heard him say that, she finally smiled shyly, “As long as you like it.” Then she asked Jiang Zhi, “But do you know how to use it?”

He hadn’t even seen the thing before.

Jiang Zhi pinched a piece in his hands, “You teach me.”

“Alright, I’ll help you put one on,” Zhou Xufang said as she took one out and pressed it under the blanket, careful not to touch Jiang Zhi. She occupied just a little space, “You have to warm it up first, otherwise it will be very cold to start.”

“Then you warm it up.”

Jiang Zhi took his cotton candy tin and picked out a piece to feed her.

She opened her mouth and ate it.

“Want more?”

“Mhm.”

He fed her another piece.

And fed her, kept feeding, kept on feeding…

Until her mouth was stuffed with candy, cheeks bulging, she said, “It’s warmed up now.”

So adorable.

The cutest in the world!

Jiang Zhi set down the cotton candy tin, leaned back, with an ‘I won’t resist whatever you do to me’ expression, even a bit anticipatory, “So, where do you put it?”

Zhou Xufang was an honest child, “Where are you cold?” She would put it wherever he was cold.

Jiang Zhi pulled away the blanket, lifted the hem of his jacket, “Here.”

She stared at the hospital gown underneath…

Jiang Zhi was in an exceptionally good mood, his eyes gleamed with springtime joviality, “Aren’t you going to help me put it on?”

“Oh.”

She peeled off the backing paper and, using two fingers, tugged at Jiang Zhi’s hospital gown, covering a small stretch of his exposed pale waist. She compared it a couple of times before sticking it squarely on his abdomen.

Zhou Xufang felt a bit hot; she dared not look around aimlessly, her eyes and hands kept proper, focusing on the checks of Jiang Zhi’s hospital gown. It seemed as if she could see a flower…

She kept her head down.

From Jiang Zhi’s angle, all he could see was the top of her head and her two restlessly placed little fingers, cocked as if afraid of touching him.

Her fingers were trembling.

Jiang Zhi laughed, “Your hand is shaking.”

She wouldn’t admit it, “It’s not!”

He laughed even more joyously, “It is.”

She felt so annoyed and argued weakly, “…No,” then ignored him, burying herself in putting the heat pack on him. Pinching it with four fingers, she smoothed it bit by bit; after securing it with a few pokes, she quickly moved back, “Done.”

Jiang Zhi touched the square thing on his belly.

It was actually quite warm.

He was about to tease his little girl further when—

“Grandma Jiang!”

It was Xue Baoyi outside the ward.

His voice was loud, drawn out, “How come you’re here?”

“Here to see my Brother Zhi.”

The sound of a walking stick against the floor grew nearer, mixed with the voices of Jiang Xiaolin and Jiang Fuli.

Jiang Zhi didn’t have time to think more and lifted the blanket, “Xufang, get in.”

Zhou Xufang was a bit bewildered, “Huh?”

“Hide under the blanket.”

She didn’t understand, “Why would I hide?”

Jiang Zhi stroked her head gently, reassuringly whispered, “Because there are bad people.”

She didn’t ask any more questions, climbed up, and crawled under the blanket.

But she dared not touch him, desperately inching towards the edge.

Jiang Zhi watched the lump under the blanket with amusement. He patted her back through the blanket, coaxing her, “Don’t be so distant, Fang Bao, stay close to me.”

He called her Fang Bao again.

Zhou Xufang hid under the blanket, chuckled secretly, and bit by bit moved closer to him.